It can be easier and more convenient to order online, but don’t let the fact that your delivery comes right to your door trick you into thinking you’re getting the best price.
Many times you won’t get the lowest price when buying pet food online, so you should always compare shops to make sure you’re getting the best deal and avoid any scams! Keep these 10 things in mind before ordering online, so you don’t get scammed out of your hard-earned money!
Read the Reviews
It’s important to be able to read reviews of any business before you buy from them. Reviews are a great way for other people who have had experience with that business in the past, and whether or not they were satisfied with their purchase.
Reading reviews will tell you what other people think about the quality of service and products that the company provides, and if it is worth the risk of buying pet food online without seeing it first. However, it can be hard to see which reviews are worth taking into consideration since many are opinionated.
The best way around this is to search for reviews on a certain topic, as a way of narrowing down your search and choosing only relevant feedback that matches your interests.
Know what you are paying for
If you buy pet food online without reading reviews or comparisons, then chances are, you’ll end up overpaying. You must do your research beforehand and find out what brands offer the best prices, the best quality of ingredients, and the most available options.
You should also make sure that whatever company you’re ordering from offers free shipping with no minimums before purchasing a large order of dog food. This way, even if their prices are higher than other companies, you won’t have to pay extra for shipping which will offset your costs.
Additionally, many businesses also offer money-back guarantees so that if your pet doesn’t like the taste or if there is an allergic reaction then they will refund or replace it for free.
Check Shipping Policies
All across the internet, you can find shady companies out there trying to scam consumers by not fully delivering the products they promised. With that being said, it is always important to review a company’s shipping policies before making any purchase.
Some companies offer free shipping on all orders regardless of how much you order and others will charge based on how much you order. Make sure to ask about their returns policy as well because not every company does them and if they do, it could take weeks for your refund. There is no harm in asking those few questions first before making any purchases from an online pet food retailer.
Look at Other Shipping Options
Indeed, shipping an animal food order is usually expensive, but you might want to look into some other options before giving up on purchasing pet food online. For example, in some cases, it can be cheaper or at least equivalent in price if you live close enough to the distribution center.
Find Coupons and Discount Codes
Every pet needs food, and if you buy it online you may be tempted by the variety and convenience of brands. But when it comes to spending money on your pets, remember that every penny counts. There are a few things you should consider before giving an online retailer all your credit card information.
Be wary of free shipping
Free shipping may seem like a good deal at first, but you could end up paying much more than you would for shipping. One exception is if the items purchased qualify for free shipping as per some sort of promotion, which usually means spending a certain amount of money to receive the discount.
That being said, be wary of all other offers and deals with free or low-cost shipping. You may think it’s the perfect opportunity to save some cash while getting your pet the food they need, but there are usually strings attached that will cost you dearly.
Identify the Product Label
A common misconception is that pet food online is cheaper than pet food at the store. Well, this may be true if you just compare costs without taking into account shipping. When you factor in the cost of shipping and handling fees, pet food online can end up costing more than the same product at a brick-and-mortar store.
With all of the confusing misinformation about what’s best for your furry friend, it can feel difficult and stressful to figure out what’s best for your dog or cat and how to find reliable information. That’s why we compiled this list of ten things every customer should take into consideration before buying pet food online or elsewhere.
Do an internet search
To find reputable sites, search the name of the company alongside fraud, scam, or rip-off. If a business has had allegations of fraud and is still in operation, you’ll see that fact listed prominently on its website.
Businesses with low ratings will usually show a caution label on their site, and if you have time, contact previous customers to find out what their experience was like.
Lastly, keep in mind that there’s no way to fully vet a company based on an internet search alone. In conclusion, be sure to be mindful when purchasing pet food online as scams can occur at any time.
Compare online prices on other sites
You may think the best place to find it is online, but before you make a purchase, be sure to do your research. The price difference can be staggering if you compare prices across sites.
Be aware of how much shipping will cost with your order. If it’s free and the product is priced higher than what you’re used to paying in stores, this is an example of sneaky marketing tactics; no company would offer a free service without making sure they’re getting something in return.
Make sure you can trust a seller with your personal information
You’ll want to thoroughly review the company’s privacy policy. This is a good way to see how they store your information, what they do with it, and who they share it with. Check out Yelp or other review sites for reviews from past customers. If a business has high ratings on these sites and maintains a clean privacy policy then it should be worth your time and money.
Conclusion
When you’re buying pet food online, it can be difficult to know what products are worth your money. These ten tips will help you make sure that you don’t get scammed by a website that’s all talk and no action. Remember these things before making any online purchases so that you don’t waste your time and money on something that may not deliver on its promises.
